American alligators once roamed North Carolina as far north as the Dismal Swamp.
Now you’ll rarely spot these large reptiles in the northern coastal
plain. You might see them near the Battleship North Carolina or in Lake
Waccamaw’s canals. Often, only their eyes and snouts are visible
poking out of the water. In this manner, they ambush prey such as wading
birds and frogs. Though historically hunted for skins and meat, alligators
now are federally listed as threatened and protected.